Scratch software- S4A - and Arduino In / Out board...

Scratch Input Output board. Arduino shield

We have designed and manufactured an Arduino shield that offers programmers an easy way to 'read' digital and analog sensors to measure the world .... later, after processing those variables in the software, we can manage external actuators (servos, motors, lights ...)

The simple board is easy to solder and is then ready to use in an infinite number of projects. It contains some analog sensors onboard: light sensor, temperature sensor an angle sensor (potentiometer); some digital sensors: two push buttons. Also included, as digital output, a bi-color LED and analog power driver base on NPN transistor.

There is a full range of connectors where you can plug your own sensors and actuators. This tool it is perfect for programing students, and Robotic workshops. It has been designed by teachers of the Robotics lab of Colegio San Gredos in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. It has been developed under the OpenHardware spirit, and it is given to the community to enjoy and to be improved. This scratch_io hardware runs linked to a Scratch modification made by S4A group from citilab (free downloadable). The standard Scratch version from MIT does not support it (soon, we expect it will be supported).

Let´s teach young people how to discover hardware and robotics in a friendly manner, let's teach them how to build a better future.

Please see the wiki menu on the left to see several pages explaining all different ways of using the shield.
Among others we have:

Scratch:

Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web.
As young people create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively

Scratch S4A

S4A is a Scratch modification that supports simple programming of the Arduino open source hardware platform. It provides new blocks for managing sensors and actuators connected to Arduino. There is also a sensor report board similar to the PicoBoard.

It has been created to attract people to the programming world. The goal is also to provide a high level interface to Arduino programmers with functionalities such as interacting with a set of boards through user events.

Arduino:

Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

Here you have and example of shield created for teaching purposes. It links to the real world with software in a really easy way. You can sense the physical magnitudes of light, temperature, etc. and make actuators respond according to program code you write.

How could you get your Scratch_io board??

After many of you asking for information about how to get a unit, and knowing that it is not easy to manufacturre a PCB. We ordered a batch of PCBs for you, please contact us for shipping details and cost. You can order a naked PCB or a completed functional version.j3viton@gmail.com